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To us, Sundance is, and always will be, a dream... — Robert Redford

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Sundance was founded in 1969 by Robert Redford when he purchased land at the base of beautiful 12,000-foot Mount Timpanogos in Utah's Wasatch Mountains. This pristine place of natural beauty radiates splendors of giant pines and aspen trees, gurgling streams, sweet fragrant air, and fields of wildflowers. It has become the Sundance Village. The goal of the Sundance Village is to offer a community art and nature that would foster artistic pursuits and recreational activity while preserving naturally beautiful and unique environment of Sundance. At the base of the Village was a tiny store which guests would frequently write to, requesting special items they had seen while visiting Sundance. The first edition of Sundance Catalog was mailed in 1989 to offer "the kinds of things that we have been privileged to collect, many of them handcrafted exclusively for Sundance."

Twenty years passed and requests for the store's unique offerings spread beyond the box canyon. People who had visited Sundance began to write back to the store from all over the country: "Do you have any more of that item, and could I get it sent to me?" and people they knew wrote, "I saw an item my friend purchased at Sundance. Would it be possible for me to buy one?"

Robert Redford called together a few of his colleagues to discuss starting a mail-order catalog to fill these requests and to make Sundance's unique items available to a wider audience. It started small. Four employees working from the old Sundance Village firehouse put together the first Sundance Catalog, which mailed in the fall of 1989 to a relatively small group of general store customers and friends.

Early years naturally held some uncertainties (Mr. Redford once quipped, "Let me say that if for any reason this Catalog should fail, I plan to change my name and move to Bolivia."), but customers soon showed their enthusiasm for the new venue, and a loyal Sundance Catalog following developed. Beginning with the first catalog that mailed in '89, Robert Redford has penned a special message that appears on the inside front cover of every edition. Here is a reprint of the message from our original catalog.

"In 1969, we founded Sundance. The next year the General Store was established. In the beginning for us there was no end. Now, it's hard to remember the beginning. One of the more insane journeys any business could make. We built things we shouldn't have, tried things that were beyond us, and planned things that were merely impossible. But happily, it has turned out. And along the way have been many varied and exciting moments. Today, 20 years later, we're celebrating that "spirit" with this first edition of the Sundance Catalog. Our General Store has established relationships with many special artists from across the U.S. This catalog offers the kind of things that we have been privileged to collect, many of them handcrafted exclusively for Sundance. When you purchase something from this catalog, we appreciate the fact that the prime reason is enjoyment for yourself. But you are also supporting American craftspeople and efforts to enhance and preserve the environment.

There is richness and diversity still in the American experience. I hope you enjoy the collection."

Robert Redford's Sundance Catalog Opens New Store in Westport, Connecticut
American aspirational lifestyle retailer to open in downtown Westport

Salt Lake City, UT (May 11th, 2021) – Sundance, a premier lifestyle retailer of women's and men's apparel, jewelry, footwear, accessories, home furnishings and art, announces the opening of its newest retail location in Westport, CT. The 3,920 square feet Sundance store will open on May 13 and is located at 97 Main Street in downtown Westport. The new Sundance store will be the retailer's first location in the Northeast and will complement the center's fashion-focused retail selection and outstanding dining options. A formal grand opening event, inclusive of ribbon-cutting and charity events, are planned for the fall. A soft opening on the weekend of May 13 will be limited attendance for social distancing purposes.

Matey Erdos, Sundance CEO comments "The Westport opening marks the first Sundance store in the Northeast and in the greater Tri-State area. The team and I are very excited to make our debut in the region with the downtown Westport location, a natural and clear choice for Sundance. Our loyal customers in the surrounding area have participated in the Sundance lifestyle for years through our beautiful catalog. Bringing the authentic Sundance experience from Utah to Connecticut is an absolute thrill for us." Erdos continues "We see Westport as a vibrant community deeply rooted in heritage, tradition, and creative arts, a community greatly aligned with our values. Our beautifully designed store offers an experience through a sense of discovery, storytelling and conversation; an experience not commonly found in the marketplace. The store is thoughtfully curated with the exclusive and quality product the brand is known for. By offering a distinctive shopping experience, one that is true to the brand, we are confident our loyal supporters will make it a great success." Guests at the downtown Westport store will immediately feel Sundance's heritage and artistic character, while experiencing the brand's authentic and creative style with the craftsmanship of the store design and beautiful merchandise mix. One-of-a-kind pieces and items exclusive to Sundance will be the cornerstone of the product offering. "Our retail space at 97 Main Street offers a prime location in one of Connecticut's most affluent shopping districts," said Anthony E. Malkin, ESRT chairman, president, and CEO. "We welcome Sundance and its future visitors to our Westport waterfront property." The Sundance Store in downtown Westport is one of three new stores to open across the country for the retailer this year. For over 30 years, Sundance Catalog's commitment to inspiring creativity and individuality has served as a guiding principle for artists and designers to reach their creative vision, ultimately leading to the retailer's commercial success across all channels.

About Sundance
Sundance Catalog was founded in 1989 by famed actor, environmentalist, director and visionary of independent filmmaking, Robert Redford, to promote the works of artists and craftspeople from across the country and around the world. Celebrating over 30 years of commitment to inspire creativity and individual style since its inception, Sundance has become one of the preeminent lifestyle retailers offering a thoughtfully curated mix of unique, premium-quality women's and men's apparel and footwear, jewelry, accessories, art and home décor. Sundance elevates the traditions of authentic American heritage into a classic and creative style. Sundance Catalog is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company's unique product selection is available through its catalog, 19 retail stores throughout the US (see list below), and online at www.sundancecatalog.com.

Sundance Store Locations

  • Alamo Quarry Village, San Antonio, TX
  • Avalon, Alpharetta, GA
  • Bridgeport Village, Tigard, OR
  • Deer Park Town Center, Deer Park, IL
  • Galleria Edina, Edina, MN
  • Kenwood Towne Centre, Cincinnati, OH
  • Kierland Commons, Scottsdale, AZ
  • La Encantada, Tucson, AZ
  • Leawood Town Center Plaza, Leawood, KS
  • The Mall at Green Hills, Nashville, TN
  • Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA
  • NorthPark Center, Dallas, TX
  • Park Meadows Mall, Lone Tree, CO
  • Southlake Town Square, Southlake, TX
  • University Town Center, San Diego, CA
  • University Village, Seattle, WA
  • The Village of Rochester Hills, Rochester Hills, MI
  • 97 Main Street, Westport, CT
  • Salt Lake City Outlet Store, SLC, UT

Source: Sundance
Media Contact: Amie Dyer
Sundance Holdings Group, L.L.C.
3865 West 2400 South
SLC, UT 84120

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